New UK member.

[paulmanta]

Hi,

I am just popping in to say hi, i post a bit on the UK astrosafari site and thought it would be nice to come on here and see what is going on in the US astrosafri scene.

A bit of background, i am a truck driver and a mechanic. I do all my own work on everything from engine swops to electics and stereo stuff. I have a wife but no kids yet, we want to go round Europe in the new Astro we just bought last week and think that once we come back we will probably settle down and be responsible.

We bought the Astro last saturday from near London, it was a good deal due to a few small problems, mostly electical, the van is spotless the bodyworkis very good and there is no rust which for the uk is a surprise and bonus. we drove it home with no hassles and then I put it in my big workshop and we wahed and cleaned it to my standard and then started on the fitting on the new stereo and TV with DVD, we found a huge amount of old dead wiring. Most of that old stuff is now in a box that i can hardly lift.

I am going to do a full service of all fluids and filters and take all the brakes to bits and service those too, i think it might need a new park brake cable as this is not all that good, then again i live on a hill that would put San fransisco to shame and that normally "tests" parking brakes very well.

Anyway, pleased to meet you all. here is our new Van.

vaaaannnnn.jpg (153.45 KiB) Viewed 169 times

[astroturf]

Paulmanta, Welcome. Very nice looking van. Thanks for the pic, We love pix. Jim

[Leeann_93]

That is a really nice, clean-looking van. I'm going to say without knowing what you paid, it's a good deal!

Have you checked the rear brakes first? It's possible someone didn't reattach the parking brake cable when they did the brakes at some point. The next option is to adjust the cable.

[paulmanta]

Thanks folks, I have been looking for an Astro for a while and had to travel a long way to get this one, I am happy i have had a very good deal but there are always niggles to sort out on any vehicle I buy.

I like to have all my cars as close to perfect as possible, i intend to sort this one out just the same.

Wiring is my biggest mission right now, its a mess in the back with so many bare wires its a wonder its not caught fire, still, its fun and i am getting familiar with the van.


I think the park brake problem is going to be adjustment or a streched cable, either way its not a bad fix.

I need to service it too, new fluids and filters will make it better still.

[Mr_Bowtie]

Welcome to the forum! Very nice looking Van you got. Better turn those wheels in on that crazy hill......

[paulmanta]

Better turn those wheels in on that crazy hill......

We tried that once with an old clunker i bought and i got out in the morning to find it resting against my front wall. the kerb is only about 2 inches high and offers no resistance at all to a rolling car.

Its my car parked in front as well so if it rolls its twice as much hassles. I do keep a brick in my front yard to put under the wheel of any cars i bring back that I really do not trust.

The hill is also lethal when icy, and like a river in the rain. still, at least I am half way up it not at the bottom where it might get very wet very quickly.